Girard-Perregaux unveils the Laureato Chronograph Ti49
The first Laureato timepiece in a grade 5 titanium case, in celebration of the collection’s 49th anniversary.
“The hue of this ultra-desirable alloy bestows a warm appearance. Moreover, by using Grade 5 titanium, Girard-Perregaux has also been able to endow the Laureato Chronograph Ti49 with refined, contrasting finishes.”
Girard-Perregaux (GP), the La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland based prestigious watchmaker, celebrates the Laureato collection’s 49th anniversary by unveiling the Laureato Chronograph Ti49. It is the first Laureato timepiece to feature a grade 5 titanium case.
Girard-Perregaux
Girard-Perregaux was founded in 1791 by Jean-François Bautte and is one of the oldest Swiss watchmakers. Their timepiece families include the Laureato, Bridges, 1966, Vintage 1945, and Cat’s Eye. Their Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges is one of the most iconic designs in horology.
“Rooted in its heritage, Girard-Perregaux is driven by the instinct to always look ahead, embracing new technologies, utilising state-of-the-art-materials, and finding inventive ways to bring joy by reimagining iconic shapes. To this end, Girard-Perregaux has remained a human-sized Manufacture, and in 2022 became part of an independent collective of Haute Horlogerie Manufactures alongside sister Maison Ulysee Nardin.”
A brief history of Titanium
William Gregor, an English clergyman, discovered titanium in Cornwall in 1791, the same year Jean-François Bautte signed his first timepiece. Intrigued with minerals, he studied sand deposits in the Manaccan Valley. Gregor knew how to isolate calx, a substance that formed from heating a mineral. This process resulted in an unknown metal, that Gregor named ‘manaccanite.’ Eventually it became known as titanium, “a name inspired by the great titans of Greek Mythology.”
Design
The Chronograph Ti49 is part of Girard-Perregaux’s Laureato collection.
Launched in 1975, the Laureato has become an iconic design, and a popular family of timepieces for Girard-Perregaux. It is a versatile platform for both horological functions and case and dial styles. For the former, time-only pieces, chronographs, and grand-complications, to name a few. For the latter, steel, precious metals, ceramic, and skeleton, to name a few.
The Laureato design’s most eye-catching feature is its octagonal bezel.
“The octagonal bezel sits atop a circular plinth which in turn rests upon a tonneau-shaped case.”
“The elaborate profile of the case freely engages with light, courtesy of its many facets and angles, producing pockets of brilliance and shade. Clearly, the historic complexity of making the Laureato’s bezel, case and bracelet are heightened with the use of the Grade 5 titanium used for the first time in the last generation Chronograph.”
The Chronograph Ti49’s case and bracelet are crafted in grade 5 titanium.
“Grade 5 titanium is composed of almost 90% titanium, 6% aluminium, 4% vanadium and small traces of iron and oxygen. It is light, strong, stiff, corrosion resistant, non-magnetic and hypoallergenic; all useful attributes for watchmaking.”
Grade 5 titanium is difficult and expensive to work with, but well worth it, as it can be polished to a dazzling glow.
Dial
The Chronograph Ti49 has a grey dial with a ‘Clous de Paris’ pattern.
The 12 grey PVD-treated hour-markers applied on the dial and the PVD-treated hours and minutes hands are all ‘baton’ type, each coated with luminescent material, which give out white emission. The centre chronograph hand is white.
The three subdials each feature a snailed pattern.
– Subdial at 3 o’clock is for small seconds.
– Subdial at 6 o’clock is for the 12-hour chronograph register.
– Subdial at 9 o’clock is for the 30-minute chronograph register.
The date window is present between 4 o’clock and 5 o’clock. Its dark colour matches well with the dial and case.
The “GP” logo at 12 o’clock is grey and PVD-treated. “Girard-Perregaux” and its horizontal logo, both in white, are present between the centre of the dial and “GP” logo. A minute track, which encircles the outer dial, and the markings on each of the three subdials, are all white.
Case and Bracelet
The Chronograph Ti49’s case is crafted in grade 5 titanium and is polished, and satin finished.
It has a case diameter of 42 mm and a case thickness of 12.00 mm. The dial side has an anti-reflective sapphire crystal. Its caseback is attached to the case by 6 screws, and proudly displays “Laureato Chronograph” on the centre. “Girard-Perregaux”, its water resistance “330 ft / 100 m”, its reference number “GP81020” and the timepiece’s individual serial number, all encircle the caseback. Its crown is on the right side of the dial at 3 o’clock and has the “GP” logo on it. The 2 chronograph pushers are on the right side of the case at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock. The case is water resistant up to 100 metres or 10 ATM.
Its integrated bracelet is crafted in Grade 5 titanium and is polished, and satin finished.
Calibre
The Chronograph Ti49 is powered by Girard-Perregaux’s in-house self-winding calibre GPO3300-0141. Its functions are hours, minutes, small seconds, date, and chronograph functions. The subdial at 3 o’clock is for small seconds, subdial at 6 o’clock is for the 12-hour chronograph register, and subdial at 9 o’clock is for the 30-minute chronograph register.
The calibre has a diameter of 25.95 mm and a thickness of 6.50 mm. It consists of 419 components, has 63 jewels, beats at a frequency of 28,800 Vib/h or 4 Hz, and has a power reserve of 46 hours. Though the calibre is not visible via a sapphire caseback, it features fine movement finishing such as Côtes de Genèvé (circular and straight form), circular graining, satin finish, anglage, mirror polishing, snailing, engravings, sunray finish, and blued screws.
Concluding Thoughts
The Chronograph Ti49 is a fitting way to celebrate the Laureato collection’s 49th anniversary. Girard-Perregaux has done a masterful job of combining both the iconic Laureato design and a reliable in-house calibre, with a beautifully crafted grade 5 titanium case. The lightness of titanium, and its distinctive hues, gives this great looking timepiece an abundance of versatility. It is sure to appeal to both female and male collectors seeking to add diversity to their collections. And it does not cost an arm and a leg.
Availability and Pricing
Name: Laureato Chronograph Ti49
Reference: 81020-21-3263-1CM
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 18,600 / United States Dollar (USD): 19,400 / Great Britain Pounds (GBP) 16,500 / Euro (EUR) 20,500
Available worldwide in all Girard-Perregaux authorised retailers.
Website: www.girard-perregaux.com/usa_en/81020-21-3263-1cm.html
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